"Deeper" hoof boot recommendation for 24/7, light riding for horse that needs thicker pad?

[tpup]

Hi all - thought I’d try posting this here. 25 yr old Connemara recovered from hind laminitis but still needs wedge pad. He has been in the New Macs for about 6 months but they are now not staying on in 24/7 turnout. We are leary about putting nails or even glue ons on his feet. He is 100% sound in New Macs with the Easycare Cloud pads. But the thickness of the pad in the back is making the boots hard to stay on despite their numerous straps. In wet weather or muddy conditions, the boots are coming off when he runs. As he has become fully sound, he is playing alot more. I am having him xrayed today to see if he needs such a thick pad or if we can even try barefoot at least in muddy, soft conditions. He is rideable for trails (and LOVES going out) and healthy otherwise. Does not look or act his age. I want to keep him turned out and moving as his recovery has been fantastic. We believe his laminitis was mechanical (abcesses, hot nails, poor shoeing from prior farrier), hence the hesitance to put him in shoes w/wedge pads.

The thickness of the Cloud pad is causing him to “pop out” of the boot in back in the wet, muddy conditions. The pastern straps (which make this boot unique) stay on and he ends up walking around dragging the boot behind him.

As endurance riders, is there a boot you love esp. if you are using pads? I’ve used Cavallo Easy boots on another horse and loved them, but the back doesn’t come up high enough. I am not a fan of Easyboot Epic type boots with the wires/gators but open to all suggestions.

Hoping to know more today after vet but please post any suggestions!

[chicamux]

EasyCare Transitions are good for turnout and light riding. They do stay on. I have used them a lot after moving my horse out of the EasyCare Clouds.
Now I have a question for you. Did you horse have coffin bone rotation? Horse’s who have NOT had rotation happen during lamintis may not need a wedge pad. They do need a good pad that will support the sole and frog. It should be thick and soft enough to conform to the bottom for the hoof. Just my opinions of course. Anyway, the Transitions will hold a pretty thick pad. You can purchase a wide variety of pads at Happyhoofpads.com

[tpup]

@chicamux

EasyCare Transitions are good for turnout and light riding. They do stay on. I have used them a lot after moving my horse out of the EasyCare Clouds.
Now I have a question for you. Did you horse have coffin bone rotation? Horse’s who have NOT had rotation happen during lamintis may not need a wedge pad. They do need a good pad that will support the sole and frog. It should be thick and soft enough to conform to the bottom for the hoof. Just my opinions of course. Anyway, the Transitions will hold a pretty thick pad. You can purchase a wide variety of pads at Happyhoofpads.com

Thank you - yes, he had rotation - between 9 and 12% approx. We xrayed today and he has very good sole depth. I am waiting to hear from the farrier on whether or not he feels he could handle a glue on with wedge or regular shoes with minimal nails. Left hoof a little more rotated than right. Despite rotation he has always done clinically well. I’ll check out the transitions! I never heard of those. He has Softride boots with the ortho pad that he was in during his acute stage. I can put him in those in his stall or in our small paddock and they hold up okay. But in the pasture, no way. Thanks for the info!

[neversaynever]

Don’t know if this would work for you but easyboot has a new “click” system - 5 and 10 degree wedges that fit onto the bottom of their therapeutic and some of their other hoof boots. https://www.easycareinc.com/our_boots/therapy_click/therapy_click.aspx

[tpup]

@neversaynever

Don’t know if this would work for you but easyboot has a new “click” system - 5 and 10 degree wedges that fit onto the bottom of their therapeutic and some of their other hoof boots. https://www.easycareinc.com/our_boots/therapy_click/therapy_click.aspx

Wow that’s brilliant! I will send a link to my farrier. Thank you!

[Candle]

I’ve used Easyboot RX on front hooves for turnout for two months successfully. Daily turnout. I had to add tape to keep the velcro from popping up, but the boot goes up around the fetlock and would probably work. I had 2 cm of pads in them daily.

[tpup]

Thanks all! I decided on the Easyboot Transitions because of the nice ankle gator. For now my last pair of the New Macs is staying on but it’s been dry. I am realizing it’s the water/mud in the fields on wet days. So on really wet days I can keep him in the barn paddock vs. the big pastures. Overall I think the Transitions will stay on better. I’ve decided against shoeing him for now. He is doing SO well and I still worry about putting nails in his feet. Will let you know how they work out.